Torbay officer shortage means rules are being flouted

Public confidence will be hit if changes are not made

A shortage of key council officers means planning regulations are being flouted in Torbay, it has been claimed.

Just two planning enforcement officers are on the books at Torbay Council, and one councillor says that's not enough to do the job properly.

Cllr George Darling (Lib Dem, St Marychurch) will raise his concerns at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting next week.

He says people are worried about several developments in the bay, but enforcement officers have been unable to respond because resources are going to higher priority cases.

One project is being built larger than its technical drawings allow, he says, and enforcement officers had taken the builder’s word for the measurements rather than checking themselves.

In another case, people were concerned that following a refusal of planning permission for holiday lets, static caravans were being rented out on the site.

Plumbing had been installed, bins were being emptied and people were seen outside in dressing gowns. Officers were unable to say when they would be able to investigate.

Cllr Darling says that if the shortage of officers is not tackled urgently, the lack of investigations will worsen and the public will lose confidence.

In his motion he says: “The longer this is not addressed, the longer the backlog of cases will become, the longer the return to a well-functioning, timely service will take.”